As of 2024, an estimated 5.5 billion (68% of the world’s population) people actively engage in online activity; however, despite this seemingly efficacious coverage, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the lowest connectivity levels globally, with significant disparities in mobile internet adoption and coverage.
Reflecting on connectivity as a whole in an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, Mr. Saad bin Solib bin Mutlaq Al-Otaibi, member of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Shura Council, and the Founder of SBS and Ansab, noted, “Global connectivity is foundational to a futuristic economy characterized by innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. As technological advancements continue to shape the world, a well-connected global network contributes to economic resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable development.”
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Southern, Eastern, Central, Western Connectivity
According to the GSMA’s most-recent State of Connectivity report, connectivity is highest in Southern and Western Africa, averaging 30%. In contrast, Central Africa lags, averaging 19%, also demonstrating the largest coverage gap (34%). Meanwhile, Eastern Africa continues to struggle, demonstrating the largest usage gap (68%), highlighting a disconnect between network availability and adoption.
Mobile internet adoption varies widely across landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS). Sub-Saharan African LLDCs report an average adoption rate of 22%, which is significantly lower than Central Asia’s LLDCs (57%). Similarly, mobile internet usage is higher in upper-middle-income SIDS (45%) compared to low- and lower-middle-income SIDS (28%).
Among adults aged 18+, connectivity rates have improved slightly, rising from 27% to 46%. Despite this 19% increase, over half of this demographic remains unconnected. The rural-urban divide also widened in 2023, with urban mobile internet adoption outpacing rural areas, resulting in a 54% gap, indicating a backward decline and return to pre-pandemic levels.
Efforts to expand mobile broadband coverage in Sub Saharan Africa (currently at 13%) have seen gains in Eastern and Western Africa, both of which have actively reduced coverage gaps to 9% and 12%, respectively. Ethiopia and South Sudan recorded notable coverage increases of 4 and 7 percentage points (pp), while Western African nations like Nigeria, Liberia, and Benin achieved gains exceeding 3 pp. Central Africa is the most underserved, with a 34% coverage gap. Commenting on this coverage, John Omo, Secretary General, African Telecommunications Union, noted, “About 200 million people lack mobile broadband coverage, constituting nearly half of the global unconnected population. An additional 800 million, though covered, are not subscribed to mobile broadband services.”
Importantly, affordability has improved, with over 40% of Sub-Saharan countries reducing the cost of 1 GB of data by more than 10%. Nearly half of these countries reported similar improvements for 5 GB plans. However, handset affordability remains a major barrier to mobile internet adoption, alongside low awareness levels, particularly in rural areas.
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The Mobile Ecosystem
In terms of Sub-Saharan Africa's mobile sector, the region's usage gap remains substantial at 60% and mobile data traffic is expected to grow by nearly 6 GB per connection per month, driven by expanded broadband coverage, increased smartphone access, and rising demand for data-intensive applications such as online gaming and video streaming.
Notably, the ECCAS region, including Angola, Chad, and Equatorial Guinea, is projected to see a more than ten-fold increase in mobile data traffic, although it will continue to trail the SADC and ECOWAS regions in 4G and 5G penetration.
4G connections will account for half of all mobile connections in the region by 2030, while 5G adoption is expected to reach 17%, contributing USD 10 billion to the economy. Mobile operators are also set to double licensed cellular IoT connections to over 50 million by the end of the decade, with South Africa accounting for more than half of these connections.
In terms of development, inflation, currency volatility, high sector-specific taxes, and energy costs due to unreliable grids are placing financial pressure on operators, leading to market exits and consolidations. Adding to this, Maria Gabriela Macra, Governmental Projects Director, Sofrecom, noted that current operators “cover rural continuity without aiming at the positive bottom line on the short term (at least three years),” while other operators implement “their business plan on the tower, considering each tower to be profitable.” Maria argued that the latter model is not profitable within the rural areas of a country that has a low GDP.
As a result, aerial connectivity solutions like low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) are gaining traction as viable alternatives to boost universal connectivity. Moreover, the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, which promotes standardized network APIs, witnessed strong momentum in 2024, with 53 operator groups representing 240 networks globally joining by mid-2024.
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Telecom and Sub-Saharan Connectivity Collide
In 2024, telcos continued to expand connectivity across Sub-Saharan Africa by advancing infrastructure, niche-specific offerings, and the regulatory landscape in Southern, Eastern, Central, and Western Africa.
Southern Africa
Sparkle and Telecom Namibia partnered to improve Namibia’s internet speeds and accessibility, while in Tanzania, TOA Tanzania secured USD 30 million in investment to enhance telecom infrastructure, focusing on expanding rural connectivity and improving network reliability.
Eastern Africa
Eastern Africa witnessed major connectivity advancements spearheaded by Ethio Telecom, which launched 5G services in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, to foster digital growth and access to high-speed internet. Meanwhile, Kenya Airways and Safaricom partnered to revolutionize in-flight connectivity, enhancing passenger experiences and showcasing innovation in regional connectivity solutions.
Central Africa
Central Africa saw significant developments as MTN launched 5G commercially in Congo-Brazzaville, paving the way for faster mobile internet and digital services. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed an agreement to bolster satellite connectivity, addressing remote areas’ needs. Additionally, Orange Centrafrique secured a 4G license, signaling its commitment to improving internet access and digital inclusion in the Central African Republic.
Western Africa
Western Africa made strides in combatting rural connectivity gaps. NuRAN Wireless expanded its partnership with MTN Benin, bringing rural areas online, while Guinea announced plans for a fiber optic interconnection with Côte d'Ivoire to boost cross-border connectivity. In Liberia, Nokia and iSAT Africa collaborated, deploying innovative solutions to extend internet access to underserved rural regions.
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2025 Connectivity Outlook
In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review during the Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit, Dr. Bilel Jamoussi, Deputy to the Director and Chief of Telecommunication Standardization Policy Department at ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB), highlighted the need for global, standardized resolutions to connectivity, mentioning that, “At the recent World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24) in New Delhi, members adopted eight new resolutions, reflecting key priorities such as artificial intelligence, metaverse technologies, digital public infrastructure, vehicle communication systems, and emergency communications.”
When asked about the future of Africa's ICT and telecom industry, Patrick Johansson, President of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, highlighted its rapid evolution, driven by expanding infrastructure, affordable mobile networks, and the rising adoption of 5G. He noted that, “FWA plays a growing role in addressing Africa's broadband needs. 4G FWA serves as an initial step.” He further added that, “Several African markets, including Angola, South Africa, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, have already begun offering 5G FWA services. According to the latest ConsumerLab FWA survey conducted within Nigeria, representing 10 million households, three out of five households are now using FWA as the primary connectivity.”
Sub-Saharan Africa's state of connectivity in 2024 demonstrated the progressive attention being placed on mobile broadband expansion and affordability; however, large gaps in terms of coverage, usage, and digital inclusion persist. While advancements in 4G and 5G, economic contributions from the mobile ecosystem, and the rise of generative AI (GenAI) are catalyzing future opportunities, achieving universal connectivity will require continued investment, innovative solutions, and structural statutes to ensure ubiquitous connectivity in 2025 and beyond.
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